Another rare gem type discovered from mining pits. This particular gem type has special demand from gem collectors and experts due to it’s rarity. In rural town called Gilimale close to the Gem city of Sri Lanka Ratnapura ,
Alstonite or Bromlite weighing 17.5 was first discovered. These are also rarely found in mining pits in Madagascar and Russia. Miners were initially unable to identify this gem type. Therefore they presented it to the veteran gem expert Dr Dunil Palitha Gunasekara. Using his expertise he bought the gem, cut it into 15 pieces and sent to a lab in USA for the identification.
They were able to finally conclude that this is cut and polished bromlite. Dr Dunil Palitha was the first to introduce Bromlite gems to the world. These are colorless. But once cut and polished it becomes very bright. Density is 9 units. Refraction index is 1.719 and 1.733. It has two refractive indexes. Specific Gravity is 3.02 units. Due to it’s rarity fake bromlites are also exist on the market.
You must have heard that ancient Sinhalese were experts on all subjects. Isurumuniya is one place that proves that sinhalese at that time were masters in art as well.
Living like engravings in precision detail on granite stones that resembles a couple in love made this place world famous.
It has taken the attention of many artist around the world too. This is the place that brought the heritage of Sri Lanka to the world audience.
It is a must visit place for a tourist. Once you visit this place , you can witness that ancient sinhalese had the best talents in terms of life while many around the world spend their time hunting within jungles.
This is never to be avoided place for a tourist in Sri Lanka. Giant natural granite mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its known as the 8th wonder of the world.
King Seegiri Kashyapa who was at the helm around 477 BC sponsored the construction of this magnificent complex of structures on this granite mountain. It belongs to Matale District, and closest major city is Dambulla.
Specialties are Castle built on top of granite mountain top, Lion’s Arch made with bricks , drawings of women at that time and the Poetry Wall. Today only ruins of the castle on granite mountain top can be seen, but even that shows the amazing talents of ancient sinhalese who built these structures.
Built at the end of 500 BC , apart from the Royal castle , Guard Towers , Cover Walls , Water Ways , Natural Granite Arches as well as flower gardens can also be witnessed. Wall drawings at this place made it world famous and must be witnessed with your own eyes. Can be reached in around 4 hours from capital City of Colombo , Seegiriya has many tourist hotels also near by.
